Russia Calls for Caution Over “Trump Route” Through Armenia’s Syunik Province

Moscow has announced that it will carefully examine a new transport corridor project between Armenia and Azerbaijan, known as the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). The details of this initiative have not yet been made public, according to Aleksey Fadeyev, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Fadeyev emphasized that any transport projects in the South Caucasus should support peace and stability, rather than create new tensions or dividing lines. He stressed that Armenia’s security and sovereignty must be central to any plans.

Fadeyev pointed out that Armenia’s membership in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the presence of Russian border guards in Syunik Province are key factors that should guide decisions about opening new transport routes. “These factors should be considered when working out decisions on unblocking transport communications in the region,” he said.

The TRIPP project was formally addressed in a trilateral meeting in Washington on August 8, where the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States signed a joint declaration establishing a U.S. role in overseeing a transit corridor. Azerbaijan hopes to use this route to reach its Nakhijevan exclave. While Western leaders welcomed the Washington accords, Russia and Iran immediately expressed concern over U.S. involvement in a sensitive regional project.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to inform them on the Washington talks. Pashinyan assured both leaders that any regional communication channels will operate according to Armenia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and legal jurisdiction. He also emphasized that cooperation should be based on reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Russia’s position is clear: extra-regional powers like the United States should not create new problems or divide the South Caucasus further. The Russian Foreign Ministry mentioned that all decisions should respect previous agreements between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from 2020–2022, which remain in effect.

Fadeyev also reminded the world that Azerbaijan’s aggressive policies and military actions continue to threaten regional stability. He warned that supplying weapons or other support to conflict zones, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, “does not contribute to a peaceful settlement and only worsens the situation.”

Moscow has repeatedly stated that the best solutions for South Caucasus issues come from regional countries and their immediate neighbors. Cooperation with Iran, Russia, and other neighboring states is critical to guarantee lasting peace. Any third-party involvement, he said, must support peace rather than create new tensions.

Russia has made it clear that Armenia’s independence, the safety of its people in Syunik, and important regional agreements will be respected. Analysts say this cautious stance reinforces Armenia’s position as a stable and secure country in a region characterized by Azerbaijani aggression, while ensuring that Artsakh and Armenian territories are not compromised.

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